Violin-Playing Robot

On December 6th, 2007 Japanese auto giant Toyota introduced a new robot called Violin-Playing Robot. The name was not an accident. The robot could play the violin as part of its efforts to develop futuristic machines capable of assisting humans in Japan’s greying society. The robot gave a performance of “Pomp and Circumstance“ song. This concert took the cake out of the audience! Violin-Playing Robot precisely used its mechanical fingers to push the strings correctly and bowed with its other arm, coordinating the movements well.

Three years later Toyota’s robot made it’s second major public appearance at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 as part of the Japanese Pavilion. Rather than playing the same tune as before, Toyota has reprogrammed the robot to skillfully play a melody based on a Chinese folk song called “Jasmine”.

Those 152.2cm tall and 56kg weight Robots can be used not only at a famous concert hall. With 17 joints in its hands and arms, the robots have human-like dexterity that could be applied to helping people in the home or in nursing and medical care.

Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe said robotics will be a core business for the company in coming years. Toyota will test out its robots at hospitals, Toyota-related facilities and other places starting next year, he said.